Rainwater and the resulting runoff chemistry in Shiraz city,southwest Iran

Samples were collected from rainwater, the resulting runoff in urban drainage channels and the Khoshk River (a seasonal river which passes through the city and receives urban drainage channels runoff). Major elements and selected heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) concentrations were investigated for rainwater samples. Marine and non-marine sources of the elements in rainwater were investigated by calculation of Sea salt fraction, Non sea salt fraction and application of factor analysis. pH and mean concentrations of major ions and heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) were compared to the results of similar studies in other countries. GIS interpolation maps indicated the impact of traffic pollution and Shiraz industrial complex on spatial distribution of Cu, Pb and Zn in rainwater. Major ions and Cu, Pb and Zn mean concentrations in runoff samples were also studied and compared to the rainwater results. Since the Khoshk River is the main runoff drainage channel in the city and is used for irrigation, its water quality was also examined.